Customs and Traditions: Early folkloristic research saw customs as
mythological traditions which had developed from Germanic or Celtic
rituals and were primarily concerned with fertility symbolism or the
warding off of demons, functions which have been retained up to this
day. Modern research, however, takes a different approach to the
question of when and how customs and traditions originated. It has
become possible to pinpoint more precisely when many customs began.
Functional and cultural aspects and the connection with other
festivities have also been researched in greater detail. Customs are
at present understood as cultural behavioural patterns for recurring
situations, based on social obligations. Customs not only have an
important social function, but also provide identity for groups,
municipalities or parts of cities. Folklore research focuses
particularly on ritualizations in modern everyday life.

Changes in customs and traditions used to be interpreted as a threat
to ancient cultural values and as an expression of declining European
culture in general. Today, however, research presents a more
differentiated view of the situation. Tourism and the culture industry
were quick to realize the economic profitability of customs and
traditions and have contributed to their continuation. Since the turn
of the century, certain forms of customs and traditions have also been
increasingly promoted on a local level. The quest for "real",
"original" customs has confronted folklore research with the problem
of what has been called "pseudo folklore"

At present, the following tendencies are discernible: Already existing
customs and traditions have been partly modernized, others have been
newly introduced and have become popular very quickly; new supporter
groups have developed (e.g. clubs and societies). At the same time,
customs and traditions have changed into regionally typical cultural
characteristics, mostly referring to valleys or individual provinces,
such as the Funken-Brauch in Vorarlberg ( Bonfire Customs), the
Schemenlauf in the Tyrol, or the Ranggeln in Salzburg. Customs and
traditions are also increasingly used to enhance Austria's media image
and as a specific tourist attraction in the media. A similar tendency
to return to customs and traditions can in fact be discerned all over
Europe.